The province has selected an Owen Sound charity to receive its Small Businesses, Big Hearts award for supporting their community during the pandemic.
The non-profit organization, OSHaRE came together to serve the people of Owen Sound and area by providing one evening meal a day for those in need.
A media release explained the Small Businesses, Big Hearts Award, launched by Premier Ford and Small Business Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, solicits stories of small businesses across the province who have shown true Ontario Spirit through their generosity, amidst the uncertainty and challenges brought on by COVID-19. Many of these businesses have altered their business models and paid it forward, providing inspiration and creating hope in their local communities.
"As I connect and host virtual roundtables with small businesses across the province, I'm also hearing about the tremendous generosity of our small businesses and the many ways they are giving back to their communities," said Associate Minister Sarkaria. "In so many remarkable ways, these local heroes are demonstrating the Ontario spirit. OSHaRE are one of the recipients and on behalf of the Premier and I, would like to congratulate them on the Small Businesses, Big Hearts award.”
“Many Ontarians are facing pressures in ways we’ve never seen before because of the global pandemic,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker. “OSHaRE helped our local community by providing services, resources and time to help our most vulnerable citizens. The Small Businesses, Big Hearts Award celebrates the remarkable small businesses and organizations, whose kindness help continue to build a strong and healthy Ontario during the COVID 19 pandemic.”
In March and April, OSHaRE served about 11,000 meals, half of the just over 22,000 meals served in 2019. OSHaRE also worked with Grey County housing to deliver meals to people in local emergency housing.
The release from MPP Walker concluded, the government’s Small Business Big Hearts Initiative provides a platform to highlight small businesses and organizations that have helped their communities and made life a little easier for their fellow Ontarians. Many small businesses have shown true Ontario spirit during this period, strengthening the foundation of our communities and helping Ontarians through this recovery.
